Mark aims to beat Channel
A paramedic from Bury St Edmunds plans to swim the English Channel to raise money for children's hospices.
A former Suffolk swimming record holder, Mark Ransom, 38, is to attempt the 26-mile challenge on June 21 – after a 20-year-break from swimming.
Mark is also having hypnotherapy sessions to cure his phobia of sharks, which he has had ever since a basking shark swam beneath him off the pier at Clacton during his childhood.
"I gave up competitive swimming when I was 17 and I've virtually done nothing for 20 years," said Mark, from Oakes Road.
"I started training last June. Most of it has been in the pool although I'm also doing some sea swimming now," he said.
"I did three-and-a-half hours down at Dover. It is very cold. I'm probably going to be in there for 12 to 14 hours.
"It is just something I always wanted to do. I used to swim for Suffolk and used to hold a lot of the club records.
"I met Mike Read, who holds the record for swimming it the most times, when I was 10 and decided one day I would swim the Channel. It has been on hold ever since."
Mark, who will be swimming in aid of the East Anglia's Children's Hospices, decided to take on the Channel swim with a colleague, but unfortunately she had to pull out.
"Pretty much everyone thinks I'm mad. My family are supportive but they are also concerned about the dangers involved," said Mark.
"The worst case scenario is dying – there have been deaths – or there's hypothermia, but at least that is reversible."
"I must admit David Walliams (of Little Britain fame) has been an inspiration. You tend to think if he can do it, I can," he said.
So far Mark has 500 in sponsorship but hopes to quadruple that figure. Donations can be made at http://www.justgiving.com/markransomswim
He is also looking for corporate sponsorship to cover his 2,000 costs and can be contacted at mark.ransom@hotmail.co.uk
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Friday 25 May 2012
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